‘More artistes to be signed’ - Contractor expects other dancehall artistes to ink big deals

Producer and music marketer Sean 'Contractor' Edwards is predicting that more artistes out of Jamaica will be signed to major labels before the end of the year.

The Uptop Boss, Teejay, last week inked a deal with Warner Music Group. While no details were given, a press release described it as "dancehall's biggest for the year" and in a radio interview last Friday, Teejay confirmed that it was a two-tiered deal, one of which relates to publishing.

Last month, Byron Messia, Jamaican-born, St Kitts and Nevis-based dancehall entertainer, signed to Interscope. Before that, in February, dancehall deejay Masicka signed a recording deal with Def Jam, the New York-based recording label that is home to 2 Chainz, Buju Banton, Big Sean and DJ Khaled.

"The comment from the Warner rep, Guy Moot, in an interview on ER last Friday evening is what stood out for me," Edwards told THE STAR.

Moot, who is the co-chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has worked with Steely & Clevie, Stefflon Don and Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor.

"Moot said that the sound out of Jamaica for reggae and dancehall was getting stagnant and that he likes this new sound and so he embraced the signing of Teejay with the new sound. I like that comment because it shows that the market was really in a stagnant phase and the new sound is creating a resurgence of interest, especially with young people in America. So I like the fact that Teejay got signed. It's very good. He is a great talent and he is somebody who has produced a lot of hits in Jamaica so he deserves it .... he is proven," the producer stated.

In a press release, Moot said he was "happy to see dancehall music and another Jamaican artiste in this context and on the global rise" and noted that "it's the right artiste with the right music and the right time".

"More artistes are going to get signed," Contractor said confidently.

He added, "Byron Messia recently got signed to Interscope with a multi-album deal. His song, Taliban, became one of the most streamed dancehall songs and reached the top of Spotify's ranking as the Best in New and Current Dancehall. Masicka, of course who definitely deserves it, got signed also. I think that Valiant is the next artiste on the list to be signed by a major American label. Any form of signing ... I think Teejay's is a publishing deal ... opens up great possibilites. It brings in more income for the artiste. And you have to commend Solid Agency ... Sharon Burke ... for getting that Teejay deal done."

Burke, who has been managing Teejay since 2021, is quoted as saying that the deal "was only two weeks in the making after sifting through myriad offers and finally feeling at home with Warner".